Fire acquire another designated player

Help is on the way for a lackluster Fire attack averaging just more than one goal per game.

The team capped a whirlwind week of transactions Friday when it acquired Uruguayan midfielder Alvaro Fernandez from Seattle in exchange for allocation money.

"He can create and he can score," Fire coach Frank Klopas said in a conference call. "He's very dangerous in all the games that I've seen him. He's someone who always gets opportunities, very good in the air."

The 26-year-old veteran is expected to join the team in San Jose and could play Saturday night against the Earthquakes.

"He's fit, he has been playing, he knows the league and has tremendous international experience," Klopas said.

Fernandez is the second designated player brought on board this week. On Tuesday, the Fire announced the signing of Dutch striker Sherjill MacDonald.

The Fire also loaned out two players to South American clubs, sending striker Federico Puppo to Defensor Sporting Club of Uruguay and midfielder Rafael Robayo to Colombia's Club Deportivo Millonarios.

Fernandez has made 11 appearances with the Uruguayan national team — including four in the 2010 World Cup. He joined the Sounders in 2010 and has 13 goals in 55 Major League Soccer regular season games.

The Fire (9-7-4, 31 points) have scored 22 goals, an average of 1.1 per game. Fortunately for them, they also have played tough defensively this season. And they're going to need an even tighter effort against the Earthquakes.

San Jose owns the best MLS record (13-5-4, 43 points), has scored the most goals (44) and has the league's top producer in striker Chris Wondolowski.

Wondolowski has 51 goals over the last three seasons and 17 this year. The 29-year-old forward has eight game-winning goals and is just one from matching his 2010 career high. Front line mate Alan Gordon has another nine goals.